Friday the 13th (2009)
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Since Blogger has been down for about two days now, I am forced to write this entry on my “old” blog. I hope blogger can get the problems fixed soon! I would say that it’s bad “friday the 13th” luck, but it started a few days ago. Bad blogger!!! Bad!!! Get it fixed!!! The url to my “real” Buzz Movie Blog is http://evansilverscreen.blogspot.com Hopefully they will work out the glitches pronto!
Now, on to business. The Friday the 13th franchise has been around nearly thirty years. It’s been through a lot of changes over the years, but a few things remain: it’s still a low-budget, tounge-in-cheek, violent slasher series that doesn’t take itself too seriously. From Friday the 13th part 3: 3D (yes, the original theatrical release was red and blue 3D!) to Freddy versus Jason (mixing the Nightmare on Elm St. and Friday the 13th series in an epic battle movie), to Jason X (where a group of astronauts must fight Jason in outer space, in the future. Yeah.) the Friday the 13th series has been full of gimmicks. It has also helped pioneer the slasher movie template we all know today, like, “group of teens goes to camp / gets lost / cell phone dies / car won’t start / laughable acting and dialouge / crazy slasher picks them off one by one”. This template is epitomized best in 80’s flicks, and has since kind of died down. You can still find examples of it through the 90s, and 00s. But, it’s not as common.
that’s where Friday the 13th (2009) comes in! What’s the gimmick of this movie? The fact that it is a modern, no-holds-barred, back-to-basics, no-frills Jason movie. There hasn’t been one in years. That’s the novelty of it, and I’m in love with it.
Our story begins with a group of young early 20 somethings traversing through some thick woods, looking for a big marijuana farm. (It’s absurd, I know.) They accidentally stumble upon Camp Crystal Lake, the legendary home of the Jason Vorhees slaughterings. Big shocker. Then, in the middle of the night in their camp, Jason emerges from the recesses of wherever he’s been for the last few years, and picks them off one by one. And this is all before the opening credits. Awesome.
The brother of one of the victims, Clay, goes on a search for his “missing” sister, and runs into the weird, stubborn locals of this small town. All the locals know about the dangers of Jason, but he doesn’t listen, of course. He must find his sister.
Inevitably, he meets some new young 20 something idiotic friends, and they join his search for his sister. They tromp around the woods, stay in a log cabin, and guess what happens?
There is some confusion surrounding the basic premise of the new Friday the 13th. Many people think it is a remake of the original. It is definitely not. It is simply a sequel, and it has nothing to do with the very first Friday 13th. It is simply a continuation of the Jason story.
If you watch the new Friday the 13th, understand what you’re watching. It is great for those who are nostalgic about the 80’s slasher movies of yesteryear. Know that you will be watching absurd violence, “scary” dark scenes in the woods, unnecessary nudity, and hilariously bad dialouge. That is the point of any Jason movie. You have to have a sense of humor about it. All the “movie critics” who bash this movie simply do not understand the point, or fun, of it. This ain’t Gone With the Wind, folks. But I will say, the quality of this 2009 Jason is vastly improved over the no-budget 80s versions. That is also part of it’s awesomeness. It has a respectable budget, while still acknowledging that it is not trying to take over the world.
As with any horror series of this nature, there are some that are worth a watch, and some that are complete throw-away junk. In my opinion, these are the ones worth watching in the series:
Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter (laughably, not the final chapter)
Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives (big surprise)
Friday the 13th part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan (and how!)
Friday the 13th (2009)
That’s just one man’s opinion. But, of course, I’m completely right.
Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria in the Old City
I’m a sucker for good pizza. Barley’s is an old world-style taproom and pizzeria located in the “Old City” of Knoxville, Tennessee. It is located in a building that used to be a hardware and feed store, so it has a lot of character.
Although I’m not much of a drinker, Barley’s has over 40 types of beers, ales, and whatever else. The pizza seems more of an afterthought, but it is incredible. I’ve had a few things off the menu that I don’t remember at the moment, but the pizza is definitely memorable.
The crowd at Barley’s is eclectic. University of Tennessee students, various hippies, and general night-life party crowds fill the place nearly every night. I have many fond memories of gathering at Barley’s in college, with large groups. And that’s just how Barley’s is designed to be enjoyed. It’s a late-night party atmosphere. They boast a live band virtually every night. I’ve seen two or three interesting groups there, none of which I can remember. I just remember that they were very, very loud.
The interior is nice, rich with character, dark, and spacious for groups. They recently remodeled the interior, and I haven’t been there since then. I’m sure the upgrades are great, though. http://www.barleystaproom.com/index.php
If you’re looking for a late-night party atmosphere with groups, lots of interesting brew choices, killer pizza, and a live music scene, Barley’s is one of the best places in town.
Pei Wei
I am an engaged blogger!
Hi, everybody. Sorry I’ve been away from my blog for a while. I’ve been busy with the holidays. Christmas, New Year’s, and getting engaged! I popped the question on New Year’s Eve, and she said yes! It was an amazing moment. The next day, we ate at the Flapjack Pancake Cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN. (Not worth blogging about. And, it’s not in Knoxville.) It has an interesting decor, but it’s definitely a somewhat cheesey tourist-trap-type place. Very overpriced, for a waffle and two strips of bacon it was almost eight dollars. I’d rather go to Waffle House! We are very excited about our new future together! I love Tiffany.
Anyway, I decided to write this blog about one of my favorite places in Knoxville; Pei Wei. Now, I know this is a chain, so I’m deviating from the loose “locally owned” theme. But, Pei Wei has some wonderful qualities that are more than blog-worthy. It just opened here in Knoxville, fall ’09.
For starters, it’s owned by the P.F. Chang’s company. I’m sure you’ve eaten at, or at least heard of, P.F. Chang’s. It is a Chinese joint with elaborate decor and memorable menu options. Blazing Thai noodles, orange chicken, and even a beef Ramen dish stick out in my mind. (The beef ramen dish was a temporary promotional dish, though.) Though P.F. Chang’s is a great place, it strives to be a higher-end suburban kind of establishment. It’s the kind of place you may go on a special occassion, or something.
Introduce Pei Wei. It is the simpler, less expensive, take-0ut version of P.F. Chang’s. The theme is, they carry a dish for several Asian countries. Korean, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese choices pepper the menu. The food quality is just as good as P.F. Chang’s from what I can tell. And, because it is operated by P.F. Chang’s, the service and decor are really top-notch. They have striking monitor menus when you first enter, and you place your order up front. Then, you seat yourself, and they give you a number. They usually bring the food out in ten minutes or less. And, the food is great.
One of the top sellers at Pei Wei is the honey-seared chicken. One of the managers told me they sell far more of this dish than any other. It’s easy to see why. The fresh, delictable honey-seared chicken just about melts in your mouth. And, the stir-fried vegetables and rice are full of flavor. They have a great assortment of bowls that are $6.75, which is not bad for a dinner as quality as this. I am quickly becoming addicted to this place. It’s Asian take-out, with an extra edge of style and quality.
Pei Wei Asian Diner
Pei Wei has an obvious web site: http://www.peiwei.com
Reflecting on a decade
There is less than one week left in this decade. 2000-2009 is almost over, and ten years is a long time when you look back on it. I wanted to take the time to write a blog entry that reflects on the pop cultural and political developments of this decade. I found that there are so many developments, they become a white noise when you begin to compile them. So, it becomes necessary to filter out the noise and pick out the significant developments. Filtering these developments is partially subjective, but it can also be based on numbers. I tried to pick out pop culture and political developments that were not only a big deal to me personally, but to many people in society. (Hence the “popular” that describes “culture”!) The “click here” links are YouTube videos. Enjoy!
1. Y2K
Anyway, the decade started out with quirky fanfare. Quirky, because in 1999 everyone made a big deal about “Y2K!” The world, and supposedly some “experts”, thought all computers were going to crash, or something terrible like that, and everyone was anxious about it. Of course, the media ran with this. Looking back, the whole Y2K debacle doesn’t seem scary or threatening , but just quirky. Of course, the year 2000 came, and nothing bad happened. The decade was off and running, and little did we know that Y2K was the least of our worries. Click here.
2. The crazy Presidential election of 2000
When the new decade began, Slick Willy was still in office. The Presidential campaign between Democrat candidate Al Gore and Republican candidate George Bush heated up quickly. Just when everyone thought the campaign was running at full steam, dems and repubs got even more stubborn, angry, determined, convicted, and ultimately divided. Next door neighbors were at odds, as “Bush” signs and “Gore” signs in front yards proclaimed the occupants’ loyalties. The fight got ugly, too. Passionate “debates”and relentless advertisements seemed endless. As the fall approached, the entire country seemed more consumed in this campaign than at any time in America’s history. America was in the middle of a tense tug of war over which direction this country was about to take. When election day came, votes came cascading in in record numbers. I remember being glued to the tube on election night, anxiously awaiting the results. Of course, no final results came in that night. It was too close to call, and a new chapter of history was being written. The rest, as they say, is history. That election came down to a handful of votes in Florida, thus delivering the infamous hanging chads, and the near-riotous reactions from scores of millions across the country as we tried to sort everything out. Ultimately, the Supreme Court made a decision. Bush was the 43rd President. Click here.
3. September 11, 2001
Mere weeks before 9-11, if you had asked me the significance of this date, I would have told that this was the day Jay-Z’s new Blueprint album was scheduled to be released. I was in college, Bush had been President for a few months, and the whole country was thinking about business as usual. I was in a college chapel service early that morning, and was sitting in a crowded church when the first reports came in about some sort of accident involving a plane running into a building in New York came across the wire. My friend had a cell phone that received periodic news emails (cutting edge for the year 2000!), and he was telling us updates. I assumed the tragedy was just some sort of plane malfunction. A terrible accident. Something that would run in news cycles for a few days and then fade away. No one was prepared for the real truth. The President of our college stepped up to the podium. “I have just received some grim news. The plane that hit the World Trade Tower was not an accident. And, there has been some sort of bombing at the Pentagon. That’s all the details we have on the situation now, so let’s have a prayer for all those involved.” At that moment, all our lives changed. Everything was turned upside down as the terrible events of that day unfolded. Where were you when it happened? Click here.
4. Lance Bass admitted that he is gay
Ok, so maybe this single event didn’t change the world. But, many celebrities “came out” during this ten years. Ellen, Lance Bass, Rosie O’Donnell, Clay Aiken, and maybe even others I can’t remember. Movies such as “Brokeback Mountain” and “Milk” made splashes in our culture, and stirred up controversy. “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, “Will and Grace”, and some other tv shows brought homosexual characters to prominence. Thus, a whole new debate erupted in America. Homosexuality went from being a taboo in the 80’s, to a shameful secret in the 90’s, and in this decade it exploded into a national debate. Higher levels of acceptance and attention have been brought to the subject, and the younger generation has probably dealt with homosexuality and its effect on society more than any other generation in our country’s history. California brought a huge vote to the people on making gay marriage legal, and it got voted down. This served to add more fuel to the fire. As a result, the debate will probably continue into this new decade in the forefront of our cultural landscape. Click here.
5. Some really cool movies came out
Here’s a short list of some of my favs from the decade:
1. Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith – Nerds everywhere (like myself) were fairly convinced that George Lucas had successfully ruined the classic Star Wars franchise. Episode 1 came out in 1999, and Episode 2 in 2002. Opinions differ among the nerd population about the merits and faults of each, but there’s a general concensus that both are fairly bad. Then, Episode 3 came out in 2005 and did a great deal to restore the integrity of the series. It’s exciting, dark, full of Jedi action, and it completes the 6 movie saga memorably. Good job, Lucas and ILM! Click here.
2. Lost In Translation – Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson forever made an impression on me in the offbeat independent film LIT. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it is reflective, romantic, creative, funny, thought-provoking, and just plain lovable. The broad, colorful shots of Tokyo remain embedded in my mind. I was lucky enough to catch it on the big screen with a group of friends, and I fell in love.
3. The Harry Potter series – I didn’t see a Harry Potter movie on the big screen until the third one, Prisoner of Azkaban, came out. I fell asleep watching the first movie (Philosopher’s Stone) with a group of friends, and I had only read the first couple of chapters of the first HP book before giving up on it. So, my friends had to drag me to see the third one. I lived in Los Angeles at the time, and we saw it on the IMAX. It was quite an experience. I fell in love with the movie series and I’ve seen every one on the big screen since that one. it’s definitely a defining series of this decade. The droves of weirdos ( a loving term!) dressing up and waiting in the book stores at midnight for the release of new books is something I wish I could have been a part of. I was too old, but if I were a nine or ten year old, I bet you I would have loved every bit of it.
4. Comic books hit the big screen – It seemed like every comic book that hit the big screen this decade was a pleasant hit. There were some flops (Daredevil, Cat Woman), but overall, this was the decade of huge comic book movies. My favs? X-Men series, Spiderman series, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Hellboy 1 and 2, and Wolverine. I am looking forward to a new decade of quality sequels.
Honorable mentions that defined this decade: Mysitic River, Passion of the Christ, Twilight, New Moon, Walk the Line, Napoleon Dynamite, An Inconvenient Truth, Avatar, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Juno, Something’s Gotta Give, Pan’s Labyrinth, and The Incredibles.
My vote for Movie Star Of the Decade: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp did no wrong this decade. He is an actor’s actor. He is known for avoiding the Hollywood stereotype machine, and he makes interesting choices. And, he is a big hit with the ladies. He made a very successful string of Pirate movies for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He made a slew of other creative, unique, even groundbreaking choices. Secret Window, Sweeney Todd, Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Blow just to name some of my favs. he inspired our generation, and helped define what makes a movie star in 2000-2009.
6. The War in Iraq
I won’t belabor this point too much, because the war debate has been worn out for years. But, President Bush and team launched a complex military campaign against Iraq in 2003, and the fight continues. The politics are complicated, but both sides of the debate seem to attempt to simplify their argument. But, this long, arduous war has tested our will, moral foundations, and resolve to settle the dispute.
7. Michael Jackson
MJ came out with a new album, Invincible, in 2001. There was much spectacle, but fans were disappointed. There was no live tour. The King of Pop was embroiled in a nationally spotlighted child molestation court trial in 2005. We watched as he shuffled into the court room every day in his pajamas. We gasped as he revealed his skeletal face. We were confused when he danced on top of an SUV and no one seemed to know what to make of the outcome. Innocent. In the midst of a triumphant comeback, MJ was putting together a live act that would belittle any 80’s concert he did. He had recorded music all decade, though none of it was released.On June 25, 2009, the news spread quickly around the world that the King of Pop was dead at age 50. Like the song Gone Too Soon, a new generation of fans were robbed of this incredible talent. Now, there will be no live concerts. A documentary, This Is It, revealed some behind-the-scenes rehearsals of the concert series that was to be. And a giant catalog of unreleased music will keep MJ alive in our hearts for years to come. Hopefully, the Neverland Ranch will be converted to a museum for the pop icon. Click here.
8. The Digital Age begins, and Apple products lead the way
Who can imagine their life without a cell phone? How would we live without the internet? DVD’s, MP3’s, and the online world have opened up whole new economies in this country. I got my first cell phone in late 01, or early 02. I loved that thing, and I’ve had a cell ever since. Ipods and other Apple products have virtually replaced the ancient technology of compact discs. Music stores and record companies are fighting to stay in business. Blogging, myspace, facebook, YouTube, Netflix, government and news sites, Itunes, twitter, and many others have revolutionized man’s relationship to technology. It has also changed our relationships with each other. Gone are the days of thinking about long distance charges, or dial-up modems. the IPhone has taken cell phones a bold leap forward, encompassing more and more computer technology and internet capability in a portable phone. Also, Blackberry phones are ahead of the curve with cell phone capability. Even Google has now released its own cell phone, the Droid. Satellite technologies have also given the masses new lifestyles. Satellite TV and GPS devices have changed our lives for good. Everything from medical technology to the way we watch movies has been revolutionized this decade. We’re all living totally different lives as a result. Tivo and DVR have made it possible for us to watch whatever tv show we want, when we want. I remember when I started college in fall 1998, and only about half the people on my dorm hall had a computer. We all had one landline phone per dorm room, and cameras still used manual film. We were playing Playstation, and it would still be six months before the Playstation 2 would come out. Wow. It’s like we were roughing it, or something.
9. We like to watch tv and stuff
Many call this decade a new golden age of television. I have never been a big fan of tv because I’m more of a movie guy, but I can appreciate the developments. Reality television has certainly defined this era of TV. It all started with the Osbournes. Remember how hard you laughed watching Ozzy stumble around, mumbling incoherently? Shows like American Idol, Survivor, The Biggest Loser, Fear Factor, The Hills, The Apprentice, and an extremely long list of others have brought us a new era of soap opera and game show. The days of scripts, actors, and cookie cutter stories have totally bored us. We crave more unpredictable, more shocking, more emotional television now. Shows like Lost, CSI, Desperate Housewives, and more have fulfilled our guilty pleasure needs for soaps. Survivor brings us a game show where it’s not enough to answer some trivia and have a few laughs. Oh, no. The contestants have to almost die in order to earn the cash. On Fear Factor, people would eat worms and do crazy stuff for money.
Then, of course, there are new emerging tv personalities we have to live with now. Martha Stewart, Ellen, Dr. Phil, Conan O’Brien, and others have shaped pop culture. We have also seen what I believe to be a sad and sharp decline of Saturday Night Live.
10. President Obama introduces a new era
America has elected the first African-American President in 2009. Along with President Obama comes inspiration, and a whole host of new debates and controversies. Health Care, Global Warming, war, the staggering economy, and the 2010 elections have already begun to dominate his fairly young Presidency. He has almost been in office a full year, and his approval ratings are suffering. Only time will tell which direction his administration will take us.
Conclusion
As this decade comes to a close, new horizons are becoming visible. America is constantly being defined, and redefined. Politics, pop culture, lifestyle, and technology all blur together and help us define ourselves. We will always rely on family, traditions, communication, and the freedom of the American way to help us move forward. Now that this decade is in the history books, I am excited and optimistic about what lies ahead. New amusements, celebrities, debates, politics, scandals, issues, technology that makes our lives better, medical developments and the like will greet us over the horizon. I can’t wait.
The Farmer’s Daughter
The Farmer's Daughter Restaurant in Chuckey, TN
Ah, the time is finally here. The Eve of Christmas. Time to eat ham, turkey, cranberry, and assortments of Christmas desserts/candy! Time to gather round the lit Christmas tree with family and open stockings full of toys with the kids. I LOVE IT! Christmas is magical.
Since it’s a special magical time, I wanted to share a very special restaurant with you. It’s outside Knoxville, but worth the drive. If you are not from the south, The Farmer’s Daughter will give you a heavy dose of genuine southern cooking and culture. it’s a special place.
At The Farmer’s Daughter, you are a family. This is no post-modern, holier-than-thou flash-in-the-pan place. The Farmer’s Daughter harkens back to a time when families gathered round the table on Christmas day with a kitchen full of home cooked quality. All the servers at the Farmer’s Daughter are dressed like old-fashioned 1800’s Amish people, or something. Girls wear the dark blue skirts with bonnets. Dudes wear overalls. It’s kind of awesome. You sit at the table family style, and that’s how you eat, too.
When your “family” is gathered round the table, everyone picks two meats. That’s it. There’s usually a menu of about five or six different meats to choose from. Once you choose your two meats, everything else is included. Loads of vegetables, drinks, coffee, and dessert. it’s all brought out to your table and everyone gets their own plate. And let me tell you, all of it is delicious. Forget the overwrought generic stench of Cracker Barrel, this place is a wonderful introduction to true southern cuisine.
So, what do I recommend? Well, the term “Mouth-watering” is certainly overused. But let me tell you: The Cajun cooked catfish is literally mouth-watering. It’s so flaky, fresh, and delicious. Just the right amount of spice make it melt in your mouth. Also, you can’t go wrong with fried chicken, and the grilled pork chop ain’t bad, either. I also recommend that you eat every single vegetable dish they bring. (There are about five). Even if you only eat one bite of each (there’s a lot of food!), you can taste the variety. There’s a cinnamon apple side dish that is the most delicious apple dish I have ever eaten. Want me to repeat that? It’s the most delicious apple dish I have ever eaten. Ever. Ever ever. The rolls are good, too. The green beans are rich with meaty flavor. The corn is amazing. You just have to eat at this place!
Another thing that makes the Farmer’s Daughter unique is its distinct Amish heritage/vibe. Some nights, while you’re waiting, they have a giant cauldron in the front yard where they make sorghum right in front of you. usually it’s Amish looking dudes with brown beards. The aroma is heavenly. Not familiar with sorghum? Click on the word to find out more about it. (Sorghum is available in the restaurant to put on your biscuits! Yum!)
Also, there is a store next door filled with handmade Amish type goods, such as breads, soaps, etc. Go to the Farmer’s Daughter. Bring cash cause they don’t take credit cards. And bring your apetite, because there’s more food than any family can eat at one time. For a true Appalachian experience, the Farmer’s Daughter is the best. Great theme, great atmosphere, great food. Merry Christmas, everybody. Here is the Farmer’s Daughter web site.
7700 Erwin Hwy
Chuckey, TN 37641
Welcome to the Farmer's Daughter
Regas
Me at Regas the night before Valentine's Day
Regas is quite expensive, and their menu is limited. They tout themselves as a “casual dining place”, but make no mistake about it, your wallet will feel the blow. Dinner for two will scarcely be under 50 dollars.
First, Regas is definitely a “special occasion” kind of place. It’s probably one of the most interesting places in Knoxville because of its character. It is a beautiful building, and has been well-maintained for 90 years. Their dinner menu is limited to three categories: steak, chicken, and seafood. I’m sure they make many of the side dishes and desserts on site. Our waiter told us that the red velvet cake recipe hasn’t changed since 1919. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t change my life, or anything.
Another odd thing about Regas is, even if you have reservations (which I recommend), expect to wait quite a while. They have a lavish waiting room, with a live piano player. In the waiting area, there is also….is that,…why, yes, it’s a full service, fully operational bar. Hmmm…wonder if the good people at Regas cause everyone with a reservation to wait extended periods so that they’ll slam down some hard-earned cash at the bar? It’s also interesting to note that they have a full cheese bar with various kinds of breads available in the waiting area. (That one is free) The furniture in the waiting area is very old and fairly decorative, in a 1920’s kind of way. There are interesting pictures on the wall, and various explanations of the restaurant’s history.
The dining room is nothing special. As I recall, there’s a fireplace in there. The staff of Regas was friendly, but on par with an Olive Garden type staff. Not bad, but…you smell what I’m cooking?
I had a big fat steak, and my gf had some kind of weird creole dish with spicy sausage in it. She didn’t hate it, but wasn’t all that fond of it. I got the steak, mainly because it was one of about five things on the menu. I’m sure they’ll alter any dish if you special order it, but I always like to get things the way they recommend it at places like this. That way, you’re getting something the cook specializes in.
And, I don’t know if it was because it was Valentine’s weekend and all, but we had to wait on our waiter an awfully long time. There seemed to be very extended wait times between ordering our drinks, ordering our food, getting refills, blah blah, you get the idea. I don’t know, maybe they gave that guy too many tables. But, I was not impressed with that at all. Especially when the minimum 15% tip calculated upward of seven dollars! I mean, give a guy a break here, I’m trying to impress my woman!
I will say that my girlfriend ate there with her aunt once for lunch. She said they still had to wait in the waiting area quite a while, but the service was great, and they actually had lower priced lunch items.
Even though I had an odd experience at Regas, I have heard many, many good things about it from others. It is possible to have a good or bad experience at any kind of restaurant, so Regas is worth a second shot. I enjoy eating there in a once-a-year kind of way. And, if you’re visiting Knoxville and have approximately 25-30 dollars to spend on a single meal, try Regas.
My gf Tiffany outside Regas. Isn't she pretty?
Click here to go to the Regas Restaurant web site. Coming up next on my blog: I will reveal an overrated and terrible place to eat in Knoxville. Yeah. I’m not scared.
Pelancho’s Mexican Grill
Pelancho's Mexican Grill
I picked Pelancho’s Mexican grill not for the spectacular food, but because it’s fun. True, they have a long list of $6.99 “combinados” meals, and delicious desserts. But, the atmosphere is the best.
Pelancho’s is very artfully decorated. There is a nice grill smell, and everything in this restaurant is filled with color. It’s a sensory atmosphere. They even have a magician that goes table to table on wednesday nights to entertain for tips. He was doing magic tricks and flirting with my girlfriend. Fun times.
The best time to go to Pelancho’s is in the summer. They have a great outdoor patio area. They have live bands and singers most every weekend, and even some week nights with weather permitting.
I believe Pelancho’s is locally owned (I’m pretty sure there’s only one!) They also have a fairly low budget web site here. If you want mexican food in a nice, clean festive atmosphere (cheap!), then Pelancho’s is your place!
Litton’s Restaurant
Litton's Restaurant in north Knoxville
When I lived in Los Angeles, I developed an appreciation for quaint little 24 hour diners. It’s a romantic idea to step into a local diner and saddle up at the bar. You can joke with the old diner waitresses (who all seem to look like elementary school lunch ladies), order coffee, and get breakfast or a burger any time of day or night. It’s like stepping back into the 1940’s. I had a favorite diner in Los Angeles called the NoHo Diner (short for North Hollywood), and it was open 24 hours.
Upon moving back to Tennessee, I struggled to find a local place that fit this bill. Sure, there was Waffle House. But that’s not locally owned. And, it’s kind of dirty. What I did find was a wonderful locally owned restaurant called Litton’s. Now, it’s not as low-brow as the NoHo diner I described above. It’s got a higher quality to it. But, it still retains that nostalgic diner vibe. In fast, Litton’s Restaurant was founded in 1946. (My warm fuzzy nostalgia era!)
Nestled in Fountain City in North Knoxville, Litton’s is an absolute local delicacy. It was more than a restaurant back in 1946. The Litton family had groceries, produce, feed, and a full service gas station. It wasn’t until the 50’s that Litton’s market added a deli counter with burgers. Now, the restaurant/market/bakery is still owned by the family. And their burgers are the best in all of east Tennessee.
I love me a cheeseburger. And I’m here to tell you that Litton’s offers the best mouth-watering fresh ground beef burger with fries in town. You can get pretty much any toppings you want for the burger, too. Of course, the beef is never frozen. They grind the beef themselves. They even make the buns fresh every day! Take THAT NoHo diner!
The service is friendly. And, the decor is great. It has kind of a rustic feel with an old-fashioned diner vibe/atmosphere. There are a few rooms in the back where you can sit that often get overlooked. There is also a fairly unusual mural on one wall that features Santa Clause, and what seems to be the Easter bunny. It makes no sense, but it’s very colorful and creative.
Litton’s has a really, really cool web site. They have a lot of factual info on their history, and they boldly brag about how awesome they are. It’s justified. Be sure to check out the “what people are saying” link because there’s a nice little clip about Litton’s burgers there. Click here to go to their site.
Lemon Grass
Don’t let the location fool you. Lemon Grass is located in an odd, nearly abandoned strip mall. There is an old empty grocery store, a martial arts studio, and maybe a couple of other random places. Off to the right, in an almost always empty parking lot, is the unassuming Lemon Grass Thai restaurant. Based on the outside of this place, you would never guess that it was clean, healthy, delicious, and pretty much the premiere Thai restuarant in Knoxville. But step in the door, and that’s exactly what you get.
I love the decor of this place. White linens drape the tables, the sushi bar is backlit with cool decorum and a sushi chef. The wait staff is amazing, too. Our waitress told us that the restaurant is a family business, and that they have everything shipped in fresh. Nothing is frozen, and many of the sauces are made right there in the kitchen. I tried their sushi, too, and it’s delicious. The green curry with chicken is simply out of this world. Fresh, simple, without being overbearing. And, of course, some of the dishing are scorching hot! That’s what you get with traditional Thai food. A kick to go with the flavor. And, there is a nice balance of colors, textures, and flavors. But don’t worry, the menu warns you about which dishes are super hot, and which are normal.
Two people can eat at Lemon Grass for around 25 dollars. If you get carried away with sushi, the tab may climb higher. But, for the quality, it’s reasonably priced. I also notice that there are mostly asian patrons eating there. That’s got to be a good sign, right? If you’re in the mood for a nice sit-down environment with unique cuisine, give Lemon Grass a chance. It will be enough to spark conversation and possibly hook you.
I found a web site with some thoughtful reviews of Lemon Grass. Click here to read them. Some are not as flattering as mine.
Lemon Grass also has a web site here.
sad times
For this entry, I don’t have a picture of my girlfriend and me at Lemon Grass. So, I decided to post this one because I thought it’s funny. My girlfriend and I were in Los Angeles for a couple of days, and we were supposed to meet my friend at a diner for breakfast. He gave us directions, but I accidentally navigated us to the wrong diner. Thank goodness I have a GPS now. Fun times.
The Tomato Head
me and joie at the tomato head
One word comes to mind when evaluating the Tomato Head: trendy. When it comes to young life in Knoxville, the Tomato Head is right in the center of it. Just a stone’s throw away from the University of Tennessee campus, and in the middle of the recently revitalized downtown, the Tomato Head is perfectly placed.
Market Square is a historical shopping square in Knoxville that has been revitalized over the past six or seven years. There is an interesting and quirky array of locally owned shops, restaurants, and family activities to experience. The square, and especially the Tomato Head, are normally filled with an eclectic mix of local Knoxville families, young professionals, and college hipsters.Right away when you enter the Tomato Head, you will understand the vibe. It has a strong sense of personality. most of the menus and t-shirts for the Tomato Head were designed by a Knoxville graphic design company called YeeHaw Industries. (YeeHaw Industries has their headquarters here in Knoxville, two or three blocks away from the Tomato Head) They frequently feature the paintings of local artists on the walls and have occassional live performances there. There are wooden floors, brick walls, and large windows on one side.
The food at the Tomato Head is exceptional. With an eye toward organic, healthy, and locally grown fare, the menu is a work of art all its own. They have a number of interesting pizzas with topping ranging from goat cheese to tofu. Their burritos are second-to-none with vegetarian and organic options. Soups, sandwiches, and desserts round out the choices. Though I tend to sway away from tofu, I have never had anything at the Tomato Head that I didn’t love. Particularly, the Jose Jose burrito (filled with fresh spinach, organic brown rice, and baked tofu) is my girlfriend’s favorite. I like the bean and rice burrito, with walnuts and fresh portabella mushrooms. Burritos come with a side of blue corn chips and salsa.
As you can probably tell, The Tomato Head is, hands down, one of my favorite places to eat in Knoxville. My girlfriend and I love to take out-of-towners there. It’s energetic, attractive, and let’s not forget, delicious! This trendy restaurant will surely make you happy, and stuffed.
Check out the Tomato Head web site. It’s full of great info, and even includes a full menu!
the market square area in Knoxville, TN
a man about town 